West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-04-08
ECONOMY AND WASTE.

Economy and waste seem simple
enough terms to understand, and yet
there are certain ideas involved in
them which are not always seen at
the first glance. The root idea Of
economy is not that of saving, but
of using to the best possible advan-
tage. There is a saving which is
involved in the economy, but there
is also a saving which is as waste
ful as the most lavish expenditure.
Ic, for instance, we put forth our
strength of body, or our powers of
mind inorjinately, without taking
needed periods of rest, they will
break down; but, on the other hand,
if We do not exert them at all we
lose them quite as surely. An un-
used muscle in time becomes inert,
and the same is true Of all our fac
ulties. Beyond a certain point, to
save them means to lose them; up
to a certain point, to spend them
means to increase them.
True economy then is quite as
much concerned with wise spending
as with wise saving. 1t recognizes
that everything has purpose, upon
the carrying out of which its value
depends. The fulflment of that
I purpose is economy; the nOn-fulfl-
ment of it is waste. Take the use
of food, for example. Every house
keeper knows that profuse supplies
some Of which must eventually be
thrown away. are wasteful. But all
10 not recognize that a far larger
amount of food is wasted in the cat
inc than in the leaving. It's purpose
is the nOurishment and health Of the
body, and all that is consumed to
this end is we'll and economically
used; but whatever interferes with
the regular operation Of the physi-
cal functions, and by its quantity or
quality lowers the healthy tone of
the system, is wasted more surely
and harmfully than if left to decay.
Thus the mere saving Of food, altho'
"a necessary part Of its economy. is
by no means the whole, or even the
most important element Whether
/ its purpose is accomplished or re
mains unfulflled, is the test by
which to judge whether it has been
economically used.
In the care of money, the problem
is more difficult because its uses are
so various. To save money for its
own sake, is to PRt-it-t TO no use at
all. To spend is recklessly, ,lavishly
or dishonesty, to make it subscrve
idlenesS, enervating luxury, disSipa-
ton or vice, or to employ it as a
power 20 impovcrish others, is to ap-
ply il to purposes of evil. and thus
to waste it in the most edectual way.
No one can use an income with true
economy vino does not exert his best
judgment and put forth all the wis
dom hc possesses To make it fulfil
the highest ends Of which it is ca
pable in h'S peculiar circumstances.
Ifit does not make some lives bet
ter, fuller aud happier; if it does
not develop the body and educate
I the mind; If it does not promote in
dustrv, honesty and good will; itin
fact, IL does nothing TO elevate and
improve mankind, then waste. and
not economy, is shown in its man
agement. There are eases where
saving money is the worst waste,
and where spending it is the best
economy.
Another important subject where
true economy is needed, is time. OF
course the most obvious waste of
time is incidence. yet to be always
busy is not always good economy.
There are some who believe, and
make others believe. that they never
waste a minute. They are inces-
sanity occupied; they never seem to
rest either body or brain Yet they
may not by any means produce the
best results. They may be engaged
in trivialitieS which need never be
done, or in employments which 9th
ers could do better, while their own
proper work remains unfinished. Or
their incesSant labor may deterio-
rate the quality of their work by
preventing the rest and recreation
needrul TO renew their powers. Or
they may concentrate all their ener-
gies upon one aim in life, and neg
leCt other duties equally imperative.
All these mistakes involve waste Of
time, rs surely as does the listless
inertia that shrinks from action.
True economy OF time takes into ac-
count, not only what there is TO be
done, bUt the limits of power 20 do
it; not only che pressing need Of
one thing bui the claims Of many
others, not only tlc duty OF indus
try. but Che dgty oi directing that
industry into Che right channels,
nat only Che actual performauce,but
the bcs, methods oi making that
performance as excellent as posi-
b.r RgskIu uc.l SAYS: The farm
er who cuts his has CO the right
time Che shipwy.ght who drives his